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The Dallas Morning News is reporting that Dallas saxophonist and former Blood, Sweat & Tears band member Bill Tillman died Wednesday morning in Houston. He was 65.

He was best known for his sax work and husky vocals, but he was also a gifted flutist. He recorded eight albums with Blood, Sweat & Tears and toured nationally with acts such as Roy Orbison, Gladys Knight and Chuck Berry. From 1978 to 1980, he was a soloist with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.

“He played every grand ballroom of every hotel you can name,” said his son Anthony Tillman.

“At Memphis in Addison people would toss phone books up onstage and the new guys in the band didn’t know why,” his son recalled. “His legacy is a joy.”

Tillman, a Plano resident for the past 30 years, was awaiting a kidney transplant in Houston. He is survived by his mother and 6 children.